Cops stop Tigertown theft in progress

Christopher Guinn @cguinnnews

Tuesday

Dec 27, 2016 at 11:54 PMDec 29, 2016 at 12:08 AM

LAKELAND — A timely tip helped Lakeland police spoil a late night heist of building equipment and metal from Tigertown where the Detroit Tiger's spring training stadium is undergoing a major renovation.

Officers arrived on site Saturday at about 2 a.m. and confronted Joshua Lee Mooney, 34, who told them his truck had broken down, the Lakeland Police Department reported.

Officers then saw several pieces of construction equipment — including scaffolding and metal fittings — in Mooney's trailer. Mooney copped to the con and his plan to sell the metal for scrap, officers reported.

A representative from Rodda Construction, one of the companies contracted for the project, identified the equipment as belonging to his company. Police estimated the value of the equipment near $10,000.

After Mooney's truck was impounded, investigators discovered a glass pipe with residue that was later identified as methamphetamine.

Mooney was charged with grand theft and possession of methamphetamine, both felonies. He was also charged with misdemeanors loitering and prowling and possession of drug paraphernalia.

— Christopher Guinn can be reached at Christopher.Guinn@theledger.com or 863-802-7592. Follow him on Twitter @CGuinnNews.

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